Dual CS5000 1986
AR ES-1 1990
Systemdek X 1992
Out of analog
Back to analog
VPI Classic 1 2007
VPI Classic 3 2010
Merrill Williams 101.2 2014
VPI HR-X 2015
Oracle Delphi MK VI/SME V 2016
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Thoren's TD 125 w/SME tone arm...since 1971 ! |
BSR with ceramic cart 1973
Bogen (cobbled together with Shure M44E)
AR (1st model) with Shure V15 type II
Yamaha P350 Nagatronics MM, then Ortofon OM10, Grado Prestige Green, AT???
Music Hall MMF5 Denon 301 MC, Clearaudio MC
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Linn Axis, basic arm, blue pt special cartridge. In the 70's
Linn Lp 12, added Sondek, tried Benz cart, got a used Lyra titan 80's
Michel gyro, added Orbe platter, Graham 1.5 arm (still have this)
several phono preamps, recently upgraded to Lehman Decade.
last year had my Lyra retipped by Soundstream (wonderful for the price)
First Sound preamp, VTL mb 185 amps, Innersound Eros speakers (have had these for many years) I'm 74 and will probably stay with this system the next 10 or more years (if I live that long). |
I was raised on radio and records. When the CD and digital music came about in the early to mid 80s, I went forward with that and never looked back. I get that the turntable and records can, together, can constitute a musical experience (especially for old guys like me) but don't kid yourself into thinking that analog music reproduction can ever compete with Redbook or better.
So my turntable ownership since around 1991 is zero. Just like film...some want it to still be better...but it just can't be.
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I was raised on radio and records. When the CD and digital music came about in the early to mid 80s, I went forward with that and never looked back. I get that the turntable and records can, together, can constitute a musical experience (especially for old guys like me) but don't kid yourself into thinking that analog music reproduction can ever compete with Redbook or better.
So my turntable ownership since around 1991 is zero. Just like film...some want it to still be better...but it just can't be.
Similar experience to me, with one exception. I flogged all my LPs in the early 90s and went for CD. Started well (if one ignores the extra money I could not afford) but I did have some vexing experiences with CD, especially reissues. A classic example was The Rite of Spring on DG - Claudio Abbado conducting the LSO. It was lifeless. It took until about 2010 when I twigged - these companies, even reputable ones like DG, have to make money and reissues of the (then) new format are one way to make a buck. Unfortunately even more money can be saved by not allowing for the change of format in the reissue process. Net result: original vinyl superior to CD, often substantially so. I got on the vinyl revival bandwagon and by then I had sufficient money to afford decent gear. I presently run a digital system and a vinyl rig. When I am in bad company (ie alone) I play my digital rig. When I am in good company it is always the vinyl rig that gets a workout - more fun, more involving, and in about - say - 3/4 of the comparisons where it is vinyl vs digital the vinyl wins out, despite a more expensive digital rig. If cheap vs cheap - you will get crap vinyl and good digital. If midprice vs midprice the gap closes but I would still prefer digital. If pushing it towards the high end (where I am at) then vinyl is superior. By way of example of my level I run a Pass Labs X150.8 power amp. Other gear is around that level. I believe if one went for really high-end gear the the preference for the analogue sound would widen. All this is one factor. Another factor is how much work are you prepared to put in. If you are mildly anal and take fastidious care with setup (cleaning, azimuth, VTA, SRA, Tracking Force, cleaning, Bias, and more cleaning) and several other things I could mention then even a midrange vinyl system has the (and I apologize for the abstract adjectives) analogue, warm, inviting sound. Not a perfect analogy but there is some similarity with the equally interesting valve vs SS debate. The numbers are with the transistors, but the smiles are with the tubes! |
Sota Sapphire w/Sumiko MMT arm..... for nearly 30 years!!
I am a gear nut, and I have replaced everything else in my system many times over, but I have never lusted to replace my SOTA.
And let's please stop arguing if LP or CDs are better. Neither is better. They are simply different, and it really depends on the mastering. I have good and bad examples of both formats. Just STOP IT already!!! |
from 400 years ago - Dual 1019 then Philips 312 then Denon 47
From 1994 on:
1994-1997 -- Well Tempered Reference & Arm
1997-2001 -- VPI TNT V with JMW Arm
2001-2004 -- Rockport Sirius II (regret selling this one)
2004 - present -- SME 30 w/SME V tonearm
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I'm thinking about adding a turntable to my ma6600. Is there a quality unit that I can get for under $1,000 that would give me 90-95% sound of a high end unit ? Any recommendations for a modern looking unit with that price range would be appreciated. |
At the moment i have a Denon DP59L, a Denon 47f and a Kenwood 7010.
Before I have had:
JVC QL 5 YF
Technic SL 1200
Technics SL 1300 mk2
Technics SL 1700 mk2
Technics SL 1500 mk2
Technics SL 1100
Technics SL 110
Denon DP 37F
Denon DP 35F
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Started with a belt drive Sanyo, Don't remember the model.
Micro Seiki DDX-1000 with an MA505 Grado XL-Super and an Infinity Black Widow ADC XLM MkIII.
Currently -
Denon DP-60L-103r on the s-pipe, looking for something for the straight pipe.
and a Music Hall 5.1 with a Project 9cc and Grado Prestige Gold. |
mirolab says: "
And let's please stop arguing if LP or CDs are better. Neither is better. They are simply different, ...... Just STOP IT already!!!"
Please. Neither you nor I have been a member of this forum long enough to be telling other people what they can or cannot discuss.
Yes, the formats are different. My point was that the turntable/LP is more about "the experience:" grabbing an album, doing the sleeve thing, loading it on, cueing up, listening...watching it go round and round, listening to the "groove noise," drooling over the beautiful complexity (or simplicity) of your table, flipping after five tracks and doing it all over again. There is none of that in digital playback. But, if vinyl takes you to Nirvana, I get it. But a well produced CD will always have better fidelity (freq response and dynamic range) that any LP no matter how well produced. |
Portable RCA 45 rpm changer, amp speaker Magnavox suitcase portable stereo. Philips 212 with Shure M91 ED. KENWOOD KD500 with SME/ShureV-15, currently with JH Formula 4 & Grace F-9E. Ariston, like the Linn copy, sold w/SME/V15. Ariston RD40 Signet XK50 with two "wands": Supex 900 Mark IV and Yamaha MC 9 to use while Supex was being "retipped". I still use the Ariston and Kenwood for my two main stereo systems.
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Nothing at the moment, but I have had:
Philips Hifi International 212 with various cartridges. A bass-less wonder with good isolation.
Ariston RD-40 with SME 3009 Series II tonearm and various cartridges.
Same Ariston with Infinity Black Widow tonearm and various cartridges.
The Ariston was quite well isolated but bounced the whole time and was a complete pain to setup. It also suffered from significant rumble.
Rega Planar 2 - the early one after the switch to a straight arm. Good bass, not the best tracker in the world and zero isolation.
The best tracking cartridge I ever used was an Audio Technica AT150MLX (or it may have been its predecessor, it was a while ago) and the other one I really liked for its sound quality was an Ortofon MC20.
I kind of gave up on turntables when I discovered my dad's Yamaha PL200 sounded better than anything I had with the Ortofon MC20 mounted.
Recently I tried a Musical Fidelity Roundtable with the default AT 95E cartridge and also with a Denon DL-110 mounted. Awful floppy arm bearings, lots of rumble, no motor isolation. It went back. It did serve to make me a bit happier with digital playback though :) Yes, I know it was cheap...
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Dual 1219 in the 70's with a Shure V15 mk3 ... went to CD about 1980? and never looked back.
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Starting with my current turntable and working backwards:
Thorens TD160 Super w/Signet XK50 tonearm
Harmon & Kardon Rabco ST-7 Linear Tracking Turntable
Dual 1229
Magnavox Imperial Console
Steelman Portable
RCA 45 rpm changer
Generic 78 rpm turntable (used steel needles that broke frequently)
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Started out in the 70s with a Pioneer PL-10, then when I got backinto analogue:
Systemdek IIX RB 300
Oracle Delphi 3 RB 300
Linn LP12 (yup RB 300)
Sota Cosmos SME V
TNT V SME V
Still run the last two.
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Denon DP-62L (my "workhorse" turntable - still using)
Cotter B1 with Fidelity Research arm
Win Labs SDC-10, FR-64FX arm, Marovskis MIT-1 cartridge, Cotter custom transformer for MIT-1 (still my top TT, but selling it soon)
B&O TX with MMC-1 (for when I'm lazy) |
07-28-2017 10:56pmI was raised on radio and records. When the CD and digital music came about in the early to mid 80s, I went forward with that and never looked back. I get that the turntable and records can, together, can constitute a musical experience (especially for old guys like me) but don't kid yourself into thinking that analog music reproduction can ever compete with Redbook or better.
quite the blanket statement re: one format vs. the other: obviously this author has never heard any of the Verve label jazz albums from the late 50's or early to mid 60's on a great vinyl rig - as an owner and enthusiast of both formats, I can unequivocally say that while Redbook can and often does sound dynamic and musically satisfying, the 'golden age' of vinyl not only competes but creates, in my opinion, a more realistic and enjoyable experience than any digital ever has - it produces all the dynamics, frequency extremes, and realism of digital, but with an added dose of 'you are there' that digital doesn't create really good, clean vinyl on a good playback system is difficult to copy, let alone 'better' - truly good vinyl can be 'jaw droppingly good' tough to make such absolute statements in this hobby, again IMHO, and I'm not kidding! when the digital craze hit in the mid 80's I'm glad I scoured the used vinyl bins (and still do)
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Dual 1218 Onkyo or Yamaha (or something along those lines) Sonographe Sota Sapphire (great deck!) Nottingham Spacedeck/Spacearm (since 2004 or so) |
forgot: Thorens (TD 160 I think...) before the Sonographe |
some one-piece system with a flip down table
Dual 1218
Yamaha YP B4
Thorens TD-180 keeping for 78s unless I can find s nice DD 3-speed cheap.
Linn Basik with LVX - now in "B" system
Oracle Alexandria MK II with Sumiko MMT - selling
Oracle Alexandria MK III with Sumiko MMT
Also 'inherited' a B&O RX2; but hardly ever used it. |
85-91 Hitachi linear tracking
07. Demon DP52
2007-2016 Yamaha PX 3
2016 to current... TriangleART Reference SE prototype with OriginLive Conqueror arm and ClearAudio Stradivari cartridge. |
Wow, it's like trying to remember all my old girlfriends. (I think there were more turntables than girlfriends.)
BIC
Phillips automatic (cool futuristic table!)
Revox lateral tracking, stolen from my apt. in Brooklyn :(
Denon Direct drive (came with straight & S arms!)
SOTA Star Sapphire with Sumiko arm
SOTA Nova with SME IV
SOTA Cosmos with Graham Phantom Supreme + upgraded Elite arm-tube & Benz LP cartridge. This is my current setup, love the vacuum! |
JVC QL-A7 Thorens TD-115MkII Thorens TD-125 w/ SME 3009 Technics SL-1700MkI Linn LP12 / Ittok LVII / Cirkus / Majik / Lingo2 / Troika / Linto |
Sorry in advance for the length, but I suspect my turntable odyssey will strike a chord with many who are not into the ultra high-end. Mid-70's in the UK - Thorens TD150 with SME 3009 arm. I cannot remember which cartridge I used - probably a lesser Shure. When I moved to the states in 1979 I sold the turntable but brought the arm with me and put it on a Technics SL1200. I had hated the creaky belt drive and floppy floating chassis on the Thorens. Went with a V15 Mk III, later changed to a V15 Mk IV and then a Yamaha MC-7. That combo served me well until I bought my first CD player in 1984, when the comparative lack of user convenience of the turntable induced me to buy the fully automatic Denon DP-51 turntable, which I still have. It works brilliantly, and I still use it in my basement system with the V15 III re-mounted. I sold the Technics/SME/V15 IV to a friend. As the 'CD age' progressed I hardly ever used the Denon (now with an Ortofon X3 HOMC) in the 90's and 00's Finally curiosity got the better of me in 2010 and I bought a mint Denon DP-62 off eBay and a Soundsmith SMMC1 via Audiogon. I wanted to hear how my LPs sounded again with a turntable upgrade (?) and a modern cartridge (as quite a few of my LPs had no CD reissues or the available reissues were inadequate), The Soundsmith did not mount well on the DP-51, as the height of the arm cannot be adjusted, unlike the DP-62. Then recently I found the cartridge needed a rebuild. So off it went to Mr. Ledermann for quite a spell, and it came back with just about new everything. I'm still breaking it in, but I think this will be my last turntable and cartridge purchase. Of course none of this is super-exotic or super-expensive, but I can have fun with my original LPs, now and again comparing them with reissue CDs and SACDs. I have bought very little new vinyl as to be honest I cannot see the point of spending $25 or more per LP when I can get many CDs at less than half the price. I did buy a nearly-new Nitty-Gritty 1.5Fi disc cleaner locally on Craigslist - definitely worthwhile. |
1975 New Thorens TD 145/11, TP16? arm and A&R P77 mm pick-up.
1979 New Linn Sondeck, Linn Basik arm, A&R P77.
1982 Second-hand Linn Sondek, Linn Ittock, Supex 900 mc pick-up 1984 (Listened to friends CD players but decided to stick with Vinyl.
Bought up vinyl as people and record shops disposed of it
In favour of cds..
1993 Second-hand, 3 motor Voyd with Helius Cylene and Audio Note IO gold mc pick-up. ( later upgraded with Audio Note TT 3 split-phase motor supply) Lovely sounding TT.
A friend is now the happy owner.
2006 Acoustic Solid 'Solid One' with Trans-Fi 'Terminator' tone arm
and (re-built) Audio Note IO gold pick-up.
Upgraded tone arm to second-hand Ikeda 'IT CR 407'
with ex-demo Ikeda 'Kai' pick up.
Upgraded ac motor to Teres Audio 3 phase rim-drive motor
and 3 phase motor controller.
TT sits on wooden 'butcher's block' with Townshend seismic
Isolation pods underneath. (Fantastic sound If suitably upgraded).
2017 Merrill Williams REAL 101.2, (bought as 'near new traded-In' from Merrill dealer
Ex demo Ikeda IT CR 407 (with VTA adjuster), Ikeda Kai mc.
'DIY' Kondo silver tonearm cable.
My favourite TT to date. Very well thought out leveling, speed measurement / adjustment, Very, very quiet TT and a joy to use.
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Thorens TD160
Oracle delphi MK II
Well Tempered Record Player
Well Tempered Classic
Bang & Olufson Beogram 8002
Technics SL-1200 MK5
Thorens TD124
Micro Seiki DDX-1000
Stanton ST-100 (present with home theater setup)
Oracle Delphi MKV (present) |
BSR 2260BX (1976)
Dual1219 (1977-1990)
Linn Sondek LP-12 (1990-2003)
Dual 1229 (1996-present) (modified with Grace 747 tonearm)
Thorens TD-160 (1997)
Thorens TD-124 (1997-1999)
Ariston RD-11 (2000-2005)
Garrard 301 (2003-present)
EMT 927 (2016-present)
The EMT is the best table I own. The modded Dual 1229 is my favorite and gets the most play time.
N.
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Sometime in the 70's:
Garrard automatic turntable 42M
Later in the 70's to the 80's: Pioneer PL12
Sometime in the 90's:
Project Debut
Later in the 90's:
Project Perspective... first nice turntable
Early 2000's: Sota Star Sapphire... current table... hard to give up the vacuum feature and the ultra floating suspension. This table with an SME 4.5i arm is a sweet combo.
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JVC direct drive..forget the model
Thorens TD 147
Sota Star Sapphire/Alphason Xenon tonearm |
Zenith HiFi with Cobra arm--1955 vintage--fathers turntable/amp/speaker combo
BSR--dont remember model
Dual 701 Shure V15 type ii
Dual 721 Shure V15 type iii
Denon 47f Shure V15 type iii
Mitchell Gyrodec--VDH Frog
Maplenoll Ariadne reference--ZYX Airy3
Maplenoll Ariadne Signature--ZYX Airy3
Maplenoll Apollo--Zyx Universe II
I think i am at the end of the line for tables though. Still have the last 4 but daughter using the gyrodec |
Technics SL-200 (High school and college) Not totally sure of the model number, but I think this was it.
Sony PS-X55 (once I got into the work force)
Some where around 1986 I went to CD's for years, but in 2005 I bought the Philips
Philips 212
Thorens TD-160
VPI Classic 2
Yamaha YP-D71 (Second system)
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Rega RP1
Rega RP3
VPI Traveler (great table)
Sanyo TP-600 (nice vintage budget table)
Thorens TD 160 Super (modified by Vinyl Nirvana, still own this one)
Rega P2 with upgrades (still own this one, really nice table) |
SOB, I feel like a dumb fish that just can’t leave a bait covered hook alone.... (and without editorializing)
since about 1962....
do it yourself crystal radio set with earpiece
various clock radios
self contained portable cassette player/recorder
Parent’s Magnavox console hi-fi with TT
Sony bookshelf speakers
KLH 17 monitors
Infinity 1001 monitors
Speakerlab 2
Speakerlab 4
Speakerlab 30
ProAc Supertowers
Chapman T 7
Soliloquy 6.2
Soliloquy 5.3
Talon Audio Peregrine
Peregrine X
Talon Audio Khorus
Wharfedale monitors
Talon Audio Hawk
Talon Audio Raven X
Von Schweikert 2
ProAc 2.5
Jungson towers
Fritz Carbon
Talon Audio Khorus X mk ii
Aurum Cantus leisure 2se
Soliloquy 6.3
Sonus Faber Olympica 3
Maybe not such a long list after all given I’ve had the bug for about 55 years....
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@genesis168
What do you think of the TechDas AF3?
May i ask what arm(s) you have?
My Tables have been:
SL1200
Rega P3
Linn LP12
Currently a second LP12 with upgrades.
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@rob67the Techdas AF3 has been a remarkable turntable. Very dynamic and quiet. Currently I have a Graham Elite 10" on it. I have other tonearms and cartridges waiting to be installed there. The Graham has been a good match so far. |
1971-1977: Pioneer PL50
1977-2001: B&O Beogram 4002
2001-2007: Rega P3 2000
2007-2013: Avid Diva with SME Model 10 Tonearm
2013- : SME Model 10 with SME IV.Vi Tonearm
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Pioneer PL12D
Kenwood KD 650/Cotter/FR1mk 3f
VPI/Cotter B2 base/Rega rb300
VPI/CotterB2 base/SME 5
Sota Cosmos/SME 5 |
Dual 1214, Sony PS1100, Technics sl1300, Revolver/Mission arm, Lastly, Roksan Xerxes, Alphason arm. Still happily spinning today.Cheers, bluenose |
@genesis168
Im not sure how to send you a private message.
Can i ask if you have found the AF3 lean in bass?
I head one and was concerned it was light at low frequencies.
Other than that i thought it was fantastic ! |
@rob67i have not found it to be light on the bass. Bass is tight and quick. Not so much fat. No shortage of real bass. Im using a Graham Elite and a dynavector XV1t on it for now. Waiting for other armboards to mount my other arms on it. |
High School/College Dual-don't remember model with Lafayette Integrated and Marantz 4's
Early Adulthood-Technics Linear Tracking -don't remember model
"Middle" Adulthood-Artisan Fidelity Thorens 160 with Origin Live Zephyr
Current-WTL Amadeus with Dyna 20XL and Luxman E1 stage |
Music Hall 5 I believe.
VPI Scout with original Benz Micro Glider- great combination if you can find one used. Great cartridge. Sounds great with pass labs Xono MM input. Love the MM side of the Xono |
Music Hall 5 I believe.
VPI Scout with original Benz Micro Glider- great combination if you can find one used. Great cartridge. Sounds great with pass labs Xono MM input. Love the MM side of the Xono |
Pioneer PL-15D
Pro-Ject Debut II
Technics SL-1700
Technics SL-1300
*Technics J-33
*Technics SL-10
*Technics SL-1210MKII w/Jelco 750 arm
*Denon DP-500m w/Jelco 750 arm
*these TT's I still own. |
Rega Planar 3 - RB300 - Goldring
Michelle Gyrodec turned Orbe - Benz H2
Micro Seiki 1500 - Micro Arm - Dynavector XV-1s, Sumiko Evo III
I'm less interested in a new table anymore, but highly interested in hearing cartridges in my system. If only it were easier! |
Technics SL-Q2 from the College Years until I was able to upgrade my system (the TT was “deeded” to a co-worker’s son who got the vinyl LP “bug”)
Linn LP-12 with an Ittok LVII tonearm, Lingo, and a Koetsu Urushi Vermillion cartridge (sold in 2014)
A second Linn LP-12 with a black Ittok LVII tonearm and a Shelter 90x cartridge (also sold after making the transition to idler wheel TTs)
Thorens TD-124 mki mounted in a multi-layered Baltic Birch plinth, SME 3012R tonearm w/ Denon DL-103 retipped by Soundsmith in a Uwe ebony body and a Yamamoto headshell (still in system but currently “sleeping” in storage until the house is remodeled)
Thorens TD-124 mkii in a slate OMA plinth with a 12” Schick tonearm, Ortofon 90th Anniversary SPU (also “sleeping” in storage)
Shindo 301 Player System with Mersault RF-773 12-inch tonearm, Shindo SPU A cartridge and an Auditorium 23 Hommage T1 SUT (my current day-in, day-out TT)
TT projects that are on hold pending the house remodel/funds include:
A stock Thorens TD-125 in need of a tonearm and cart (probably will be offered here on Agon at some point in time)
Garrard 301 grease bearing in need of a plinth, tonearm and cart
Garrard 401 also in need of a plinth, tonearm and cart
Lenco L75 mounted in a Mirko wood plinth in need of a tonearm and cart
Luxman PD-444 direct drive TT in need of two tonearms and carts
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1975 - Lenco L80 with SHURE M95HE
1980 - Dual CS130, Dual CS505
1987- Mission 775LCT with Nagaoka MP-11 Boron
1990 - Mission 775SM with original Mission 774 and AT-OC9
1993 - Pink Triangle Export GTI, Alphason HR-100S, VDH MC Two
2007 - DPS 2, SME V, ZYX Yatra ii
2016 - DPS 3. SME V, ZYX 4D Ultimate
These are in chronological order, i had a dozen more but all above stayed longer (i still have in box the Pink Triangle).
George
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Technics SL-1600
Rega planer 1
Project 2-xperince
VPI scout 2016
VPiI Prime
and I believe it will end with the Prime. |
